vorschieben
to push forward
To move something forward by pushing it.
EXAMPLE
Er schob den schweren Riegel vor die Tür.
He pushed the heavy bolt in front of the door.
vorschieben
to push forward / use as a pretext
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Meanings
vorschieben
to use as a pretext
To use someone or something as a pretext or excuse in order to hide the real reasons or one's own responsibility.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat eine dringende Besprechung vorgeschoben, um nicht an dem unangenehmen Gespräch teilnehmen zu müssen.
She used an urgent meeting as a pretext so she wouldn't have to take part in the unpleasant conversation.
sich vorschieben
to push ahead
To push one's way forward in a line or group in order to get a better position.
EXAMPLE
Der ungeduldige Mann versuchte, sich in der Warteschlange vorzuschieben.
The impatient man tried to push ahead in the queue.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Vorschieben' (to push forward / use as a pretext) is a separable verb with the prefix 'vor-'. In a main clause, the prefix goes at the end; in a subordinate clause, the verb stays together. In the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' goes between 'vor' and 'schieben'.
EXAMPLE
Er schiebt den Tisch einen Meter vor.
He pushes the table one meter forward.
Word structure
The verb consists of 'vor' (forward) and 'schieben' (to push). The literal meaning is 'to push forward.' The figurative meaning (to use an excuse) is derived from this: you symbolically push a reason in front of yourself in order to hide behind it.
EXAMPLE
Um nicht aufräumen zu müssen, schob er seine Kopfschmerzen vor.
To avoid having to tidy up, he used his headache as a pretext.
Typical collocations
In the figurative meaning, 'vorschieben' is often used with abstract nouns. Typical combinations are 'eine Ausrede vorschieben' (to use an excuse as a pretext), 'einen Grund vorschieben' (to put forward a reason as a pretext), or 'einen Vorwand vorschieben' (to use a pretext).
EXAMPLE
Er hat einen dringenden Anruf vorgeschoben, um das Meeting früher zu verlassen.
He used an urgent call as a pretext to leave the meeting early.
Reflexive use
In the meaning 'sich vordrängeln' (to push ahead / cut in line), the verb is always used reflexively with 'sich'. The reflexive pronoun must be adapted to the person (ich schiebe mich vor, du schiebst dich vor, etc.).
EXAMPLE
An der Kasse hat sich einfach jemand vor mich vorgeschoben.
At the checkout, someone simply pushed in ahead of me.
In real life
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